The Roles of Women in Islam
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Over time the focus on women in Islam have been increased. In addition, the views of women's role in the Islamic society are varied. On one hand, traditional Islam is seen to protect women and emphasize their important place in caring for the home and the family. On the other hand, the role of women is seen more negatively,; especially from a "western" perspective (U.S., Europe). For example, the role of women in Islam is seen as oppressed and restricted to domestic which keeps them from reaching full human potential.
Before the time of Muhammad, restrictions on females in Arabia were very severe. Women were treated as property, could not initiate divorce, and no rights to financial matters or property rights. After Muhammed, it has been argued that he improved some of women's rights and his views were seen as liberal. For example, women would have the right to innate divorce, which the Qur'an forbade. In addition, women may own money and property and religious duties would be available for both men and women.
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Before the time of Muhammad, restrictions on females in Arabia were very severe. Women were treated as property, could not initiate divorce, and no rights to financial matters or property rights. After Muhammed, it has been argued that he improved some of women's rights and his views were seen as liberal. For example, women would have the right to innate divorce, which the Qur'an forbade. In addition, women may own money and property and religious duties would be available for both men and women.
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
"The Veil" Repression or Protection?
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Today in modern times, there is a constant struggle between whether the role of women in Islam should be seen as protection or repression. One example that is constantly challenged is the concept of women's attire, this would include the headscarf "Hijab" that most traditional Muslim women wear. In Muhammad's time, women were required to dress modestly and in a way that protected them from any possible male temptation. Overtime with the basis of this concept, some countries (Somalia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc) have had extreme forms of "veiling", where women must be entirely covered when they are outside their home. However, The meaning of the veil is not always is not considered a conservative belief. For example, in some countries such as: Turkey, Malaysia, and Egypt, women claim covering their heads can be a liberal assertion of female personality and power. Although they are only covering their head, this can be seen as individuals not focusing on their external self and having others (men/women) appreciate their internal self. While in western Europe, the optional wearing of the veil is strongly debated by legislators, who see secular-religions neutrality being questioned.
In recent years both views have been challenged by the works; "Veil: Modesty, Privacy and Resistance" (Berg Publishers, 1999) and "Rage Against the Veil" (Prometheus Books, 2000), offer very different but compelling perspectives on the significance of the veil in Islamic society, and its role as both an instrument of resistance and repression.In "Veil," University of Southern California anthropology professor Fadwa El Guindi lays out a sometimes one-sided analysis of some of the multifaceted uses and meanings of the veil (and other, modest Islamic dress) in Arabic-speaking Muslim societies. From the outset, El Guindi expresses strong displeasure with the colonial-era exoticization of veiling, as well as with the critical interpretation inherent in much of past and present feminist discourse surrounding the veil.
http://www.alternet.org/story/14826/the_veil%3A_resistance_or_repression
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
In recent years both views have been challenged by the works; "Veil: Modesty, Privacy and Resistance" (Berg Publishers, 1999) and "Rage Against the Veil" (Prometheus Books, 2000), offer very different but compelling perspectives on the significance of the veil in Islamic society, and its role as both an instrument of resistance and repression.In "Veil," University of Southern California anthropology professor Fadwa El Guindi lays out a sometimes one-sided analysis of some of the multifaceted uses and meanings of the veil (and other, modest Islamic dress) in Arabic-speaking Muslim societies. From the outset, El Guindi expresses strong displeasure with the colonial-era exoticization of veiling, as well as with the critical interpretation inherent in much of past and present feminist discourse surrounding the veil.
http://www.alternet.org/story/14826/the_veil%3A_resistance_or_repression
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Rebellious Muslim Women
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Although Muslim women are seen as often times oppressed and restricted especially from Islam, there are some women that have challenged their own Islamic religious views. One woman that has not only challenged but denounced Islam is Ayyan Hirsi Ali. She is the daughter of the Somali politician and opposition leader Hirsi Magan Isse. She and her family left Somalia in 1977 for Saudi Arabia, then Ethiopia, and later settled in Kenya. In 1992, Ali sought and obtained political asylum in the Netherlands. Following graduate work, she published articles on her political views and spoke in support of Muslim women becoming atheist. In 2003, Hirsi Ali was elected a member of the House of Representatives (the lower house of the Dutch parliament), representing the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). A political crisis related to the validity of her Dutch citizenship led to her resignation from parliament, and indirectly to the fall of the second Balkenende cabinet in 2006.
Ayaan has been a vocal critic of Islam. In 2004, she collaborated on a short movie with Theo van Gogh, entitled Submission, the English rendering of the word "Islam". The documentary sparked controversy, which resulted in death threats against the two and the eventual assassination of Van Gogh later that year by a Dutch Muslim. In a 2007 interview, she described Islam as an "enemy" that needs to be defeated before peace can be achieved.. But in her latest book Heretic (2015) she moderated her views of Islam and now calls for a reform of the religion by supporting reformist Muslims.
In 2005, Hirsi Ali was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She has also received several awards, including a free speech award from the Danish newspaperJyllands-Posten, the Swedish Liberal Party's Democracy Prize and the Moral Courage Award for commitment to conflict resolution, ethics, and world citizenship. Hirsi Ali has published two autobiographies: in 2006 and 2010.
As well as Ayaan, there are other women in the Muslim world who are challenging the beliefs and interpretations of the scriptures in the Qur'an. For example, in Saudi Arabia, where women have not been able to drive cars, some women have begun to drive in public demonstrations, demanding changes in the law. Furthermore, the traditional views are still strong in the Muslim world, but many opposing views are starting to be taken into account.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..
Ayaan has been a vocal critic of Islam. In 2004, she collaborated on a short movie with Theo van Gogh, entitled Submission, the English rendering of the word "Islam". The documentary sparked controversy, which resulted in death threats against the two and the eventual assassination of Van Gogh later that year by a Dutch Muslim. In a 2007 interview, she described Islam as an "enemy" that needs to be defeated before peace can be achieved.. But in her latest book Heretic (2015) she moderated her views of Islam and now calls for a reform of the religion by supporting reformist Muslims.
In 2005, Hirsi Ali was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She has also received several awards, including a free speech award from the Danish newspaperJyllands-Posten, the Swedish Liberal Party's Democracy Prize and the Moral Courage Award for commitment to conflict resolution, ethics, and world citizenship. Hirsi Ali has published two autobiographies: in 2006 and 2010.
As well as Ayaan, there are other women in the Muslim world who are challenging the beliefs and interpretations of the scriptures in the Qur'an. For example, in Saudi Arabia, where women have not been able to drive cars, some women have begun to drive in public demonstrations, demanding changes in the law. Furthermore, the traditional views are still strong in the Muslim world, but many opposing views are starting to be taken into account.
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali
Molloy, Michael (2013). Experiencing World Religions: Tradition, Challenge, and Change. 6th Edition..